Tell me everything! Always lived in the burbs of Philly, first time living in the city. Anthing anyone can share, good or bad about the area would be helpful! Thanks.

Go check out the Fleisher Art Memorial, a block away (700 block Catherine). Really neat place - galleries, art classes, etc.

Of course you know the Italian Market's close. Have dinner at the Butcher Shop Cafe (9/Christian), a really cozy little family-run Italian place, or breakfast at Sabrinas, just across Christian (just count on a wait on a nice weekend morning).

In the summer, get yer water ice at John's (is that correct, locals?) at 7/Christian.

There are a couple of nice if slightly worn-looking neighborhood parks. I believe there's one around 7/Fitzwater, and then one farther to the East (Mario Lanza?).

Are you renting or did you buy a house? If the latter, and you have some available assets, consider having a roof deck put in. I was at a party in that neighborhood a number of years ago and was amazed by the awesome panoramic view of the city from the roof deck.

I'm still an out-of-towner but I'm moving to that same area in may. Spent some time there with friends. I've got to second Sabrina's. Food is amazing, portions are huge, and the price is cheap (most large breakfast plates are under $7). Their home fries are amazing.
Royal Tavern (on 7th and Passyunk i believe) is a pretty cool bar. Laid back, good beer selection, incredible jukebox, both music and clientele is of sort of an "indie" bent.
Real nice area, though, im looking forward to moving there myself.

I lived at 5th and Catharine for a couple of years. I love the neighborhood.

Little Fish (restaurant) is right around the corner from you. Make a reservation and go! BYO, excellent seafood dishes.

Also quite nearby is Cafe Sud. I suggest their brunch: you can get great fruit and fruit juices, amazing pastry, and interesting small Moroccan meals. The owners are extremely friendly. The place is tiny, though, (as is Little Fish) so I recommend not going with more than two friends at a time.

Check out the New Wave (bar/restaurant) at 3rd and Catharine, but go during the week instead of the weekend when it gets too crowded.

If you plan to transfer prescriptions to a local pharmacy, SKIP the Rite Aid at 5th and Passyunk. The CVS at 2nd and Lombard is much friendlier and cleaner.

There are TONS of places within walking distance. In fact, I would go so far as to say teh whole city is within walking distance.

Thanks, guys! I have heard good things about several of those restaurants and of course the Market.

I will be transferring prescriptions, so thanks for the heads up about the CVS!

To the person who asked, yes I am renting. I am so excited to just move in already!!! :lol:

Ah yes, my block... welcome to the hood.

Acme, you bring up two excellent recommendations. I've been meaning to mention Sud for a while, but feel almost *protective* about it these days. Just went there last weekend for bfast and had another great meal... but it is SMALL. I felt bad for the other couples in the place, as our four-top seemed to be dominating the space. We tried to quiet down but dang the food was so goooooood. They had a killer waffle special on the menu (in addition to the Moroccan influenced foods).

Little Fish is excellent as well. So sad that its a block away from my house and I rarely go there.

New Wave, Royal, Sabrinas, Pete's Sake, the Italian Market - its amazing how much food and fare there is real close. I think anyone who's a city person would like it here.

The only complaint I can come up with is sometimes parking t'aint so great. Between the crowds on a nice day up at South Street to the parents in the minivans attending the various goings on at the local music school it can sometimes be a bear.

-G

What's the deal with that music school? I walked by there the other day and heard some violins and what not. Is it only open to runts? Do they rent out space for making a racket? You know a name for it? I would walk over there myself but it's pretty ugly out...

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Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard. - H.L. Mencken

It's Settlement Music School: http://www.smsmusic.org/

All I can say is beware the parking tickets. If you forget that it's the 3rd Tuesday after the winter solstice while a republican is president, you can get a nasty ticket. There are specific rules to each side of each block that I always forget. I must have racked up over $1000 worth of tickets over several years. Oh, and Dimitri's, Il Villagio, Hikaru, and Hostaria da Elio are great places to eat. I would keep away from that relatively new Mexican place on 2nd and Bainbridge as it's overpriced, IMHO. Morning Glory is a little further west at 10th and Fitzwater, but they serve a great breakfast.

Thanks for the link. I'll defn. look into a class there. Regarding parking. I just had to move both of my cars, ugh, for street cleaning. A schedule for QV is here.

http://www.qvna.org/Schedules/streetcleaning.htm

__________________
Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard. - H.L. Mencken